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If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner for taco night or a delicious appetizer that’s sure to wow, these Fried Chicken Tacos are just the thing! Juicy, crispy fried chicken wrapped in warm tortillas, topped with crunchy cabbage for a fresh bite and drizzled with a rich, tangy lime crema.
Easy Crispy Chicken Tacos
If you love crispy chicken tenders, this recipe will provide a whole new way to enjoy them! They add great texture and flavor to these crispy tacos. The lime cream is a wonderful addition because it complements the salty and savory chicken. It has a nice zing and balances the whole dish. Add your favorite toppings, and you have a winning meal. Even picky eaters will devour it! I make these often when I don’t feel like cooking or if we have a long and busy day. My kids love them!
Why You’ll Love These Fried Chicken Tacos
- 30-minute meal. In 30 minutes, you will have this chicken tacos recipe on the table and ready to eat.
- Makes a great lunch. This is a quick and easy dinner idea but it’s great for lunch, too!
- Customizable toppings. Add whatever you like to make your chicken tacos your own.
What You’ll Need
Below is everything you’ll need to assemble the fried chicken tacos and crema for this recipe. Feel free to use any toppings that you like.
For the tacos
- Chicken tenders: I use frozen chicken tenders as an easy shortcut. They are tasty and become nice and crispy when cooked, and there are many cooking methods. Feel free to make your own using our easy Chicken Tenders Recipe (fried or baked) or Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
- Cabbage: I like to add shredded red cabbage as a topping for freshness and extra crunch. If you have a slaw blend on hand, feel free to substitute it.
- Tortillas: You may use flour tortillas or corn tortillas for the taco shells. I prefer flour for this recipe!
- Salsa: This is another optional addition. You may use any brand, homemade salsa or variety of salsa that you prefer.
- Cilantro: Garnish your tacos with chopped cilantro to add freshness and more color.
For the lime crema
- Sour cream: This is the creamy base for the zesty lime crema. It adds richness.
- Buttermilk: I like to add buttermilk for acidity and a little more fat. You may omit it or add a little mayonnaise instead.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is perfectly tart and complements the other ingredients in the crema and the crispy chicken.
- Cilantro: The fresh cilantro brightens up this sauce beautifully.
- Salt: A little salt enhances and balances the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to Make Fried Chicken Tacos
Here are the directions on how to make these chicken tacos and a homemade lime crema to put on top. It’s super easy to follow, especially since you are using precooked chicken to save time!
To make the crema
- Combine sour cream and buttermilk. Add the sour cream and buttermilk to a small bowl. Whisk until they are well combined.
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir in the lime juice, cilantro, and salt.
- Cover and chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store the crema in the refrigerator while you prepare the tacos.
To make the tacos
- Cook the chicken. Use the directions on the package to cook the chicken (in the oven or air fryer are the most common methods to get the chicken golden-brown and crispy ).
- Warm tortillas. Heat a skillet over medium heat and warm your tortillas for 30 seconds on each side.
- Assemble tacos. Add the shredded cabbage to the tortilla and place one or two tenders on top. Spoon some salsa and lima crema over the chicken and finish with a sprinkle of cilantro.
- Serve. Enjoy your crispy chicken tacos!
Serving and Variation Ideas
- Toppings: pickled red onions, jalapeno slices, Pineapple Salsa, White Queso Dip, lettuce, Homemade Ranch Dressing, salsa verde, avocado crema, Pico de Gallo, or guacamole.
- Sides: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, Mexican Rice, garden salad.
- Proteins: Grilled chicken, crispy tofu, steak, roasted turkey or fish sticks.
Proper Storage
I do not recommend saving assembled tacos. Make them as you need them. The lime crema leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Cook the frozen chicken strips whenever you want to enjoy some crispy tacos!
More Taco Recipes to Try
Fried Chicken Tacos
If you're looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner for taco night or a delicious appetizer that’s sure to wow, these Fried Chicken Tacos are just the thing! Juicy, crispy fried chicken wrapped in warm tortillas, topped with crunchy cabbage for a fresh bite and drizzled with a rich, tangy lime crema.
Servings: 8 Tacos
Ingredients
- 8 each breaded chicken tenders cooked according to package instructions (about 1 pound)
- 2 cups red cabbage shredded
- 8 each flour tortillas 4-inch
- Salsa for topping (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
For the lime crema:
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 each lime Juiced
- 1 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
For the lime crema:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, and buttermilk.
- Add the fresh lime juice, finely chopped cilantro, and salt.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined..
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble the tacos:
- Cook the chicken tenders according to package instructions. Once cooked, cut them in half lengthwise.
- Warm the soft tortillas in a skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side or in the microwave.
- To assemble the tacos, start by placing a layer of shredded red cabbage on the tortilla.
- Add one or two pieces of cooked chicken tenders on top of the cabbage.
- Add a spoonful of salsa over the chicken and cabbage (if using).
- Spoon a generous amount of lime crema over the salsa and garnish with the fresh cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
- The lime crema can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can use grilled or roasted chicken instead of fried chicken tenders for a lighter option.
- Corn tortillas can be used in place of flour tortillas if you prefer.
- You can add other toppings, such as diced avocado, pickled red onions, or jalapeño slices, for extra flavor.
- The lime crema can be prepared a day in advance to save time on the day of serving.
- Substitute the chicken tenders with crispy tofu or a plant-based chicken alternative for a vegetarian version.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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